Brian Beacom

THE DOLLS are about to become panto stars.

Two weeks ago, the Evening Times revealed how the female double act of Gayle Telfer-Stevens and Louise McCarthy were selling out theatres across Scotland.

Now, it has been confirmed that the ladies – dubbed the modern day female version of Francie and Josie – are to star in panto at the SEC.

The actresses will appear in Jack and the Beanstalk as Jack’s mischievous aunties.

Gayle Telfer-Stevens, who stars as Caitlin in BBC Scotland’s River City, said she was delighted at the idea of starring in the biggest panto in Glasgow.

“The Dolls are thrilled to be joining Qdos Productions at The Armadillo this Christmas in one of Scotland biggest and best pantos.

“It’ll be a fun filled stoater of a show. We can’t wait!”

Louise McCarthy agrees; “I am delighted to be part of what has become a great Glasgow institution by appearing as one of The Dolls in pantomime at The Armadillo.”

The Dolls are fast becoming a major success story in Scottish entertainment. But five years ago it was a very different story.

“We both had gone to musical theatre school in Glasgow and London and landed the big West End jobs,” says 36 year-old Gayle, from Renton in Dunbartonshire.

“But it didn’t work out. I was all set to become a teacher.

“Then we got together and decided we’d form a double act and create our own comedy.”

Maryhill-born Louise, who has worked recently for the National Theatre of Scotland, admits her life changed when she met Gayle.

“I just felt a real connection,” she says. “At that point I was singing in bars. But I knew we’d work together at some point.”

The pair came up with the idea of becoming two cleaners, Agnes and Sadie, who embark upon a series of misadventures.

Their current touring hit play, The Dolls Abroad, is a raucous tale of bad behaviour, bevvy and kidnapping.

And female audiences the length of the country can’t get enough of it.

Due to public demand, The Dolls have added an extra performance at the King’s Theatre on May 1, with a Bank Holiday matinee at 2pm.

And a new date has been added in Edinburgh, at the Playhouse, on May 14.

“The appeal of the Dolls is expanding all the time,” said impresario Robert C. Kelly.

“This weekend will see their first English theatre show, at Corby in Northants. And in 2018 we plan to take the Dolls to Blackpool.”

Other panto names are yet to be confirmed.

• Jack In The Beanstalk, The SEC, December 16 - January 7